Simon Yates takes Paris-Nice time trial, Kwiatkowski cements lead

Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) won the fifth stage of Paris-Nice, a 25.5 kilometre time trial around Barbentane, near Avignon, on Thursday.

The time trial posted an enticing challenge. A mid-point climb of 1km at four per cent average was the most notable feature, making the course suited to the climbers. The course then ended with a short, sharp rise to the line.

“It’s unexpected,” Yates said. “It’s my first ever victory in a time trial, even as a youth cyclist.”

“I have been working on my time trial quite a lot the last few years but I didn’t really expect to be fastest today. At the start of the day, I thought it was for the TT specialists. So especially with how this course was, I am very happy.”

Friday’s sixth stage runs 176.5km through hills just north of the Mediterranean coast between Peynier and Brignoles.